Courtesy of
Ricardo Pestana:
"Sunrise:
- Ribeira da Janela: go by car to the hydroelectric station, and take of photos of the rock near the sea)
https://www.flickr.c...12/15310123681/
- Ponta de São Lourenço: leave the car at the end of the road, take the walking path and go to the very end, after the house, climb to the top. Bring a torch obviously. Be careful near the end, the final climb after the house can be confusing during the night. I got lost last time i got there
View attachment 118660. but then again my torch broke down moments before arriving there.
https://www.flickr.c...57632691655868/
Sunset:
Praia Formosa at Funchal:
https://www.flickr.c...12/24444190145/
Pico do Arieiro;
https://www.flickr.c...eposted-public/
Madalena do Mar:
https://www.flickr.c...eposted-public/
Sandy beach at the end of the promenade.
During the day:
Fanal:
Untitled
Recommended walking routes:
Pico do Arieiro - Pico Ruivo - Pico do Arieiro: quite hard to do, need to be in shape, especially if you take the alternative route up to Pico das Torres, but the views are really stunning. You go visit the 3 highest mountains on the island.
https://www.flickr.c...rdopestana2012/
Queimadas - Caldeirão Verde - Caldeirão do Inferno: Despite the long distance it's a easy walk up to Caldeirão Verde, but it may be very crowded. If you go to Caldeirão do Inferno which is next you have a very steep climb, and then some tunnels with a low ceiling. Caldeirão Verde is very tall waterfall, Caldeirão do Inferno is a very narrow canyon with 2 small waterfalls at the end.
Caldeirão Verde:
https://www.flickr.c...Q-do4gfk-nmZBAg
Rabaçal - Risco - Lagoa do Vento - 25 fontes: Risco, it's a short walk and very easy, there 's a big waterfall, the pathway can be quite crowded with tourists; Lagoa do vento: very beautiful lagoon , the final descend is quite slippery, you will not find many people there; 25 fontes: easy to go, beautiful lagoon and waterfall, the pathway can be quite crowded with tourists.
Lagoa do Vento:
https://www.flickr.c...hotolist-i1dHJX
Larano - walking path along the sea cliffs with stunning views. Put the car at the end of the road near Porto da Cruz, walk at least to the path that crosses to Machico and Portela and then go back. Path can very muddy and slippery just a few km's after after the beginning.
https://www.flickr.c...eposted-public/
Other atractions:
Pico do Barcelos (viewpoint in Funchal):
https://www.flickr.c...8-eN2LjN-dBkxGJ
Miradouro das Neves (viewpoint in Funchal):
https://www.flickr.c...t-dfTqav-dFaW7u
Cabo Girão (do not miss it):
https://www.flickr.c...w-duD272-dsQDBQ
Porto Moniz (natural swimming pools)
https://www.flickr.c...V-dBk7Jq-drLj4Y
Seixal (natural swimming pools and sandy beaches, beautiful scenary):
https://www.flickr.c...eposted-public/
Chão da Ribeira (nature, rustic houses, many walking paths, some waterfalls:
https://www.flickr.c...eposted-public/
https://www.flickr.c...eposted-public/
Cable car to Monte and tropical gardens.
Ponta do Pargo lighthouse: if you go past Ponta do Pargo, go visit the lighthouse, stunning views to the sea;
Câmara de Lobos:
https://www.flickr.c...eposted-public/
Ponta do Garajau:
https://www.flickr.c...F-v334xc-x2DxAF
That's the cliff on the photo above. There's a statue of Christ like in Lisbon or Rio but smaller. Stunning views to the sea and Funchal.
Road between Encumeada and Paúl da Serra:
https://www.flickr.c...eposted-public/
Véu da Noiva waterfall (São Vicente):
https://www.flickr.c...t-C4UBea-ovhKma
Eira do Serrado viewpoint to Curral das Freiras (must go):
https://www.flickr.c...hotolist-kQo5pG
Sugestion for a shooting day:
- Leave Funchal (i'm assuming you are in a hotel there) at maybe 1.30 hours before dawn and go to Ribeira da Janela (Funchal>Ribeira Brava>São Vicente (fast way using the big tunnel)>Ribeira da Janela;
- Shoot sunrise there;
- Go to Fanal (there's a sign near the hydroelectric plant indicating the correct road), explore the area, there are some awesome trees and a lagoon. And cows. be careful, they can be very aggressive. I know someone who had to climb a tree.
View attachment 118661
- Go to Rabaçal (visit Risco and 25 fontes if you are not too tired);
- Go to Encumeada, you can stop at Bica da Cana to explore a little, and after that take the road to Encumeada, stunning views there;
- Go to Ribeira Brava and then head back to Funchal;
-If there's time go to Cabo Girão or/and Câmara de Lobos;
- Head to Funchal and shoot the sunset at Praia Formasa.
Check the sunset/sunrise times at:
http://www.cambridge...-calculator.htm
Check also the best place the direction of the sun. For example Sunrise at Ribeira da Janela this time of the year is quite nice. Other times not.
This time of the year may not be the best for shooting the sunset at Praia Forma but you nonetheless can get some nice colours.
Do not miss at any cost: Pico do Arieiro and Fanal."